by Leenie Brown
“It is not easy to step away from a business arrangement,” his father said.
Tom shook his head. “It was more than that.” He rose and paced to the window. “Durward is a friend, a very good friend – perhaps the best I have ever had.” He looked at Edmund. “He is marrying Miss Crawford.”
Edmund’s eyes grew wide.
“She has changed. Thanks in no small part to Durward’s influence, although I do suppose her brother’s cutting her off had something to do with it as well.”
“Crawford cut off his sister?” their father asked.
“You must tell us that tale,” Edmund said.
Tom brought a chair over to sit next to Edmund and his father and shared with them all of what he knew about both Crawfords’ change of heart. The story, of course, astonished his audience.
“And this Durward is marrying Miss Crawford?” Edmund repeated. “And she has changed so much?”
Tom nodded, his brow furrowing. “You are not regretting your decision to part ways with her, are you?”
Edmund snapped from his contemplation. “No, never!” he cried. “I was only pondering how wrong I was in thinking she would always be as she always was.”
“She likely would have been, had it not been for your rejection of her.” His younger brother was too agreeable. Edmund never would have provided the resistance Miss Crawford would have needed to mend her ways. “You are not a reformer, Edmund. You are much too kind.”
“Soft, you mean,” Edmund grumbled.
Tom shook his head. “I do not mean soft. I mean kind. I know how stubborn you can be. You are not soft.”
“Pliable then,” Edmund amended.
Once again, Tom shook his head. “Only because you are kind and generous and excessively forgiving. And those are all qualities for which I am grateful since my focus was on myself instead of anyone else for so long. You have forgiven me for my foolishness, have you not?”
“Of course,” Edmund replied without so much as a moment’s pause.
“You do not need to repay your debt,” their father interrupted.
“No,” Tom answered, “I owe it to both my present and my future family.” Even if it would cost him dearly. However, pain or no pain, he would not be the man he had been. He would face his responsibilities now as he should have then.
Chapter 16
“You gave her up for this?” Edmund looked aghast as he motioned toward the shelves behind their father’s desk the following morning.
As much as Tom had wanted to immediately begin looking at account books and making plans, his mother had insisted that he not lock himself away in his father’s study. That had, of course, meant that Edmund had not been able to hear about Miss Eldridge until now.
Tom nodded in answer to his brother’s question. Was that not what he had just said?
“You found a lady whom you love, but you gave her up to rebuild part of the house?”
It was as if his brother had become deficient in his ability to grasp a topic.
“Not just to rebuild that part of the house. There is also the need to repay what I lost. Mansfield would be in a much better state and able to weather this disaster far more easily if that money had never been lost.”
Edmund who had been standing looking out the window while Tom told him about Faith, came around the desk and dropped into a chair. “You cannot just toss love away.”
“I am not –” Tom stopped, his brow furrowing. Was he throwing something precious away for something of far less worth? He would not question his actions if someone – nearly anyone – else doubted him. But this was Edmund. Edmund did not value things as cheaply as some did. “Do you think I am? Have I chosen wrongly?”
“A heart is far more valuable than a well-arranged pile of bricks and mortar,” Edmund replied with a grin. “However, do not tell Father I said that. He would likely disagree. You know how Mansfield has been his everything.”
Tom leaned back in his chair, ignoring the account book before him. Edmund was correct. To their father, education, the proper allotment of finances, correct connections, marrying properly, and all the other “proprieties” associated with an estate and making one’s mark on wealthy society had outshone warmth and… Tom sighed. Love. It was not as if Tom had considered himself unloved when he was growing up, but he had to admit there had always been a longing for something more than a lecture on impropriety or a short well-done on which to hang his hopes of approval.
He shook his head. “I cannot ask her to take on an estate that is not fully sorted. You do not understand. I need for her to feel secure.”
“Is Mansfield on the brink of ruin?” Edmund asked.
“No, but it is facing a large financial burden. Rebuilding will not be quick or inexpensive.”
Edmund tipped his head and studied his older brother for a moment. “I cannot imagine my life without Fanny, Tom. I would not care what sort of house I had or what food was on my table if I did not have her by my side. What good is a beautiful manor house if it is empty and cold from lack of love?” He shrugged. “Do not pretend to not know what that might feel like. We do. Father did his best, but even he has admitted his errors. Being the master of Mansfield does not mean becoming like Father.”
Become like his father? The idea was laughable, was it not?
It was most certainly frightening. Tom and his father were nothing alike. He had always been miserable attempting to win his father’s approval. There was no way he was going to consign his life to such misery willingly. But…
“How do I avoid such a thing and yet secure my legacy?”
“What does Mansfield need to function as a proper estate? Does it need all it holds? Are there some things for which the loss of those holding would be of greater benefit to the estate than retaining them?” Edmund’s lips tipped up. “The living which was sold was not necessary for the estate to function. That is why Father sold it.”
“But it was to be yours,” Tom protested.
“And it is.”
“But it might not have been.”
Edmund shook his head. “Eventually, it would have been mine. Dr. Grant was not the sort of fellow to live forever.” He lifted his eyebrows and gave Tom a meaningful look. “Father was no fool. He did not sell it to someone who was young and would likely live as long as I would.”
Tom had never considered that before.
“Why do you think I was so complacent about the sale?”
“Because you are Edmund,” Tom said with a shrug.
His brother laughed. “I am certain that was part of it, but I knew that with time I would receive that living.”
A great heavy wave of emotion settled on Tom’s shoulders. “I have spent years feeling that error most grievously I can assure you.” He shook his head. “You really expected to receive it eventually?”
Edmund nodded. “So, you see, your debt is not as great as you imagined. Mansfield has survived quite well.” He drew a breath. “If I were to advise you in any way related to the removal of properties from Mansfield, I would suggest looking at those which are the furthest removed from where we are sitting right now.”
Was his brother suggesting what Tom thought he was suggesting?
“This venture you were going to be part of,” Edmund continued, “do you think it has the potential to replace some or all of the income from the Antiqua property?”
Edmund was suggesting what Tom thought he was suggesting, and the thought brought a smile to Tom’s face. He had despised nearly every moment of his time in Antiqua.
“I am not certain if it would…” His voice trailed off as he thought about the two people who would most likely be able to help him decipher the answer. Both were in town. One was a cunning businessman and the other was a daring young woman who claimed to abhor risk.
He would have to write to Durward immediately. Hopefully, he had not already found an investor. He pulled out a sheet of paper and putting the account book aside, prepared to write his letter. After this lett
er, he would need to write a second one to –
“Come,” he called to whoever had rapped on the door.
“You have callers, sir,” the butler said. “Are you home?”
“I am.” Tom was curious as to who would be calling on him. There were few who knew he was at home.
The butler disappeared for a moment before returning with Tom’s guests.
“Miss Eldridge?” Tom cried, rising quickly from his chair.
“Is she?” Edmund whispered.
Tom nodded, happiness suffusing his features.
Faith moved toward the desk. “Mr. Durward had some news he knew you would wish to hear, and Robert,” she motioned to her brother, “was good enough to offer to accompany me in delivering Mr. Durward’s message.”
“I did not offer,” Robert grumbled. “I was given no choice.” He raised a brow and glared at his sister. “I thought it would be very bad form to arrive unannounced at a home where things were in disarray.”
“No, no,” Tom protested. “I am happy to see you both. In fact, I was just about to write to Durward and then you, Robert.” He shook his head. “Forgive me. Miss Eldridge, Robert, this is my brother, Edmund.”
Edmund was looking at Faith very curiously. “Do I know you?”
Faith pressed her lips together and blushed.
“You do,” Tom answered for her. “She cared for me when I was ill and you came to get me.”
Edmund shook his head. “No, that was a servant girl.” His face scrunched. “Her name escapes me just now.”
“Eliza?” Faith offered.
“Yes, yes, that was it!”
“I am she. I disguised myself as a maid since it is not the thing to do for a young lady to care for a gentleman.” She shrugged. “It was necessary.”
Edmund looked from Faith to his brother and back before he seemed able to respond to such a revelation. “I thank you for saving my brother.”
“How could I not?” Faith said with a smile before growing serious and adding, “You will not tell anyone will you?”
“My wife,” he answered. “Fanny will be delighted to meet the lady who saved our Tom. I will tell no one else.”
“Edmund is a man of his word. He always has been. Even when we were boys,” Tom inserted. “And Fanny is the same. Your secret is safe.”
Faith’s smile returned. “That is excellent, and I am certain you will find Mr. Durward’s news to be as pleasing as I find the fact that my impropriety will not be spread hither and yon.” She placed some papers on the desk and took a seat before it, waiting expectantly until Tom reclaimed his place.
“You did not use your cane,” she scolded when he winced. “You will not improve if you do not take care.”
“Is that the message from Durward’s mother?” He teased, causing her to roll her eyes.
“No, it is my own,” she retorted.
“My sister is demanding,” Robert whispered to Edmund.
“I am not,” Faith argued.
Robert merely lifted a skeptical brow in response.
“Oh, very well, I can be, but only when it is necessary.” She grinned at her brother.
To Tom, there seemed to be a great many things which Miss Eldridge excused as necessary of which she might not otherwise approve.
“She is always well-meaning,” Robert added.
“That she is,” Tom agreed.
“Most times,” Faith admitted before leaning toward Edmund and adding, “there are times, however, when it is absolutely necessary to provoke one’s brother. Do you not agree?”
Edmund chuckled. “Indeed, Miss Eldridge, I think I must agree.”
Tom shook his head. Miss Eldridge would do very well as a part of this family. After he heard Durward’s news, perhaps he could speak to the lady in private and retract his suggestion that she not wait for him.
“I went to see Mr. Clarke yesterday.” She smoothed the top piece of paper in the pile of four or five that she had placed on the desk. “And then, I visited Mr. Durward and Mr. Waller.”
Tom wondered if she had changed from her breeches to her dress.
“After a stop at home,” Robert said with a glare at Tom. It was as if the fellow could read Tom’s thoughts.
Faith pulled a paper from the pile. “It seems Mr. Durward has taken on a new partner for his venture.”
Tom’s breath hitched. He was too late. He had been replaced and in only a day. His heart sank.
“And it seems that they have agreed on a name for their store,” Faith continued.
“Have they?” Tom was not certain he wished to know anything more about the store at this moment.
Faith handed him the paper she held as she spoke. “They are thinking of calling it Durward, Waller, and Eldridge.”
Tom’s mouth dropped open, and he looked from the paper he held to Robert. Had Robert taken his place?
Robert shook his head and pointed to his sister, who was looking down at her hands.
“Unless, of course, you would prefer it to be Durward, Waller, and Bertram.” She lifted her eyes to his. “It was my money, but if you read that paper, you will see it was done in your name.”
Tom’s eyes returned to the document he held. It was as she had said. His money was to be released to him and another sum, one that was slightly higher than what Tom had invested, was to be added to the venture in his name.
“We only need your signature,” she added.
He looked at her and shook his head. How could he allow her to do this?
“You will sign it,” she said. “Mr. Durward insists.”
Robert coughed to cover a chuckle.
Tom knew very well that Durward was only insisting at Miss Eldridge’s behest.
“It is necessary,” she added before pulling another sheet out from her pile. “I have seen your numbers as you know.”
“You have?” Edmund interjected.
“She has been advising me on financial matters,” Tom explained to his startled and somewhat confused brother.
“I know you said I should not wait for you to get things settled here at Mansfield, but I disagree.” Her cheeks were flushed as she handed him the folded paper she held. “I have been doing some thinking, you see, and have come to the conclusion that there are times when taking a risk is… well… It is necessary.” She blinked against the tears he could see glistening in her eyes.
Tom glanced at his brother and nodded toward the door. Thankfully, Edmund understood and rose to leave. Robert moved to follow.
“Do you know about this?” Tom asked, lifting the missive he held in his hand.
Robert nodded. “It is about time she found a reason to throw caution to the wind.”
Tom waited until the door had closed behind Robert. Then, he rose and took the seat next to Faith in front of his desk.
“It is all I have. There is no more.” She shrugged. “But what good does it do me if it comes at the cost of my heart? If you will have me, my dowry could do a great deal for Mansfield. It could secure your legacy. That is what you have wished to do, is it not?”
She did not need to ask him twice. He did not need the inducement of her fortune to wish to marry her, even if she had included it below her question on that missive. He picked up a pen and jotted a quick, gladly under her marry me before crossing out the twenty thousand pounds. Then, he handed the paper back to her.
“I will not marry you for your money,” he said.
“You cannot marry me without taking it,” she retorted, a smile spreading across her face as she read his response on the paper.
“Then, I will have to make peace with accepting it, but I want you to know that I wish to marry you only because I love you.” He took the paper from her and placed it on the desk so that he could hold her hands and draw her to her feet and into his embrace. “I think we will let the store bear your name so that you can claim a new name – mine.” He pulled back and looked down at her. “My angel. You have saved me more than once. I would be lost w
ithout you. You truly wish to be my wife?”
“With all my heart,” she replied.
Tom, of course, sealed the agreement as any good gentleman would – with a kiss that was filled with longing as well as the peace that comes when a heart has found its safe haven. And as his hands held her close delighting in the softness of her form while her lips parted to allow him to deepen the kiss and her hands found their way first to wind around his neck and then to tangle in his hair, Tom knew that his legacy would be secure. However, it would not only be a legacy of land and wealth as he had expected. It would be something far greater, for his would be a legacy of the heart.
Before You Go
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Turn the page to read an excerpt of another one of Leenie’s books
Addie: To Wager on Her Future Excerpt
[Book 5 in the Other Pens, Mansfield Park series focuses on Tom Bertram’s neighbour, Adela Atwood, and his friend and soon-to-be brother-in-law, Robert Eldridge. Below is the first chapter of their story.]
Chapter 1
A sheep bleated as clouds floated overhead. The sun was warm and the smell of dew dampened grass still clung to the edges of the breeze. However, all the perfectness of this spring morning was lost on Adela Atwood. Her focus was where it nearly always was — on a horse. This particular horse was a newcomer to the area and, even from a distance, he was a beauty.
“Look. See how he rises from his seat just before his horse begins to fly down the course?” Addie only spared a glance for her companion. She would not be distracted from watching such a fine beast and rider. How she wished she was still allowed to ride astride instead of constrained by society to ride aside. It was not that one could not cover a great deal of ground in a short amount of time while seated like a proper lady. It was just that one could not stand in her stirrups and urge her horse to thunder across the ground as the horse she was watching did.
